Douglas Anderson School
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 30° 18.004 W 081° 38.320
17R E 438587 N 3352208
In front of the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Waymark Code: WMEPF3
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 06/22/2012
Views: 15
In 1922, the Duval County Board of Public Instruction opened South Jacksonville School No. 107, the only public school on the southside of Jacksonville for African-American children in grades one through nine. Spearheading the building of this school were black community leaders Douglas Anderson (1884-1936) and W.R. Thorpe (1893-1967). Anderson, a graduate of Tuskegee Institute, began the first free school bus transportation service for the school and was president of the Parents-Teachers Association. In 1945, the school board renamed the school the Douglas Anderson School. It became a high school in 1955 and quickly became an educational and cultural center for African-Americans from communities all over southeastern Duval County. Community envolvement was the strength of the school. Even though high school enrollment never exceeded 400-500 students, they achieved prominence in academics, athletics, and the arts far beyond their numbers. Douglas Anderson School closed in 1968 as a result of school desegregation. Afterwards, it served as a campus for Florida Junior College, and a 7th grade center. It re-opened in 1985 as the Douglas Anderson School for the Arts.
Marker Number: F-687
Date: 2010
County: Duval
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: The Douglas Anderson Alumni Association, Faculty, Parents and Community Friends, and the Florida Department of State
Website: Not listed
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